Rotary engine.



No. 7|0,577. Patented Oct. 7, 1902.

c. H. HAWKINS.

ROTARY ENGINE. (A blication filed Nov. 13, 1901. (No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet I,

2 g A I WITNESSE INVENTOR 57574 7 I w3m ATTORNEY Patentdf Oct. 7', I902C. H. HAWKINS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

(Applicatidn filed Nov. 13, 1901.)

' 2 S'heetsSheet 2.

(No Model.)

iNVENTOR WITNESSES llwrrnp STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CYRUS H. HAWKINS, OF BROOKLYN, NEXV YORK.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,577, dated October7, 1902- Application filed November 13, 1901. Serial No. 82,098. (Nomodel.)

"('0 (06/ 1071/0712, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CYRUS H. HAWKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing in the borough of Brooklyn, in the city and State of New York,have invented a certain new and Improved RotaryEngine; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

My improved machine may serve also as a pump and with the use ofcompressed air or other fluid; but I will describe it as working withsteam to produce motive power. Many of the details, as the bolts whichstrongly and tightly confine the parts together, the stuifing-boxes andpacking to maintain tight and easy fitting surfaces,a massive bed,andstrong and adjustable hearings of the shaft in such bed, may be omittedor only partially treated.

My improved engine is of the class in which a drum carryingradially-movable slides, which I will call wings, is mounted in aneccentric position within a stationary cylinder. This class ofengines'has long been known and approved. My invention contributes toreduce objections and to make the engine more efficient and durable.

One feature relates to supporting the wings. I practically widen thewings without weakening the drum.

Another feature relates to means for moving the wings and for packingsuch construction.

Another feature relates to the provisions for distributing steam througha steam-chest and reversing-valve, the provision of two sets ofcylindrical rods moving outward and inward with the wings, one rigidlyconnected and the other capable of shifting laterally, with provisionsfor bringing steam to act on the latter properly packed.

Another feature consists in provisions for adjusting the end tocompensate for the slight yielding, technically springing, which obtainswhen the fluid in the interior exerts a strong pressure.

Another feature lies in peculiar provisions for both adjustably holdingsuch movable end and packing and covering the joint around such end.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means ofcarrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is an end view'seenfrom the left in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end view as seen from the right inFig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4 4- in Figs. 1 and 2.Fig. 5 isa crosssection on the line 5 5 in the same figures.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures where they appear.

A is the cylinder, and A a fixed head having sufficient apertures a a,serving as steam and exhaust ports, respectively. Passages cored orotherwise produced in the exterior of the end A conduct steam from asteamchest A which incloses a reversing-valve M, having a hollow throatand an operating valverod M, by which it may be changed in position.Thus steam may be admitted from the steam-chest A through the passagein'closed in either of the stout ridges A or exhausted into theatmosphere, according as the reversing-valve M is set. There are two ofthese ridges A (see Fig. 5,) one inclosing the left hand passage,leading from the port a under the reversing-valve to the port Ct in thecylinder end, and the other inclosing the righthand passage, leadingfrom the port a under the reversing-valve to the port co in such end.

B is a stout shaft mounted eccentrically within the cylinder A and boredor otherwise made hollow a sufficient portion of its length and equippedwith a stuffing-box and connections to receive steam at any pressuredesired and allowit by its pressure to force out the wings, to bepresently described. The steam will also yield when compelled to atanother portion of the revolution to allow the wings to be successivelyforced inward, as required. The formof the connections may be varied. Asshown, A is a stationary pipe extending axially into the hollow end ofthe shaft through a stuffing-box revolving with the shaft. This pipeconnects by a pipe A with the steam-chest.

B is a drum, of cast-iron or other suitable material, keyed or otherwisefirmly set on the shaft B. eccentricity that it touches the interior ofthe cylinder A along one line, shown as the upper side of the cylinder.It carries three It is of such size relatively to the equidistant wingsD, mounted in deep radial channels I) in the drum and capable of movingradially therein. The outer edge of each wing is equipped with aslightly-rocking facepiece E, which latter presents a broad surfacefinished to match steam-tight against the interior of the cylinder A. Intheinner edge of each wing are rigidly set straight pins D, which arereceived in corresponding cylindrical holes d in the drum. Thisconstruction contributes to the support of the wing in the correctradial position when itis forced out, so that its projecting end and theconnected rocking piece are strongly acted on circumferentially by thesteam, urging the drum and its connections to revolve.

G G are nicely-finished pieces, which I will designate pistons, eachhaving a slightlyswelled head G, received in the inner edge of thewings. These cylindrical pieces extend inward and receive pressure fromthe steam-reservoir bin the axial line of the shaft. They are inclosedin packing G, compressed by glands B carried in the drum B, which may beadjusted at long intervals by screws B The shaft carries a pulley 13through which power is communicated by a belt in the obvious manner. Theheads G on the pistons G are enlarged, matching in corresponding butslightly-larger recesses in the inner edge of the wings. The loosenessneed only be suflicient to allow the pistons to shift a littlerelatively to the wings as the packing or other circumstances shallrequire. The heads limit definitely the inward movement of the pistons.The packing 0 around the pistons G should be of a durable kind. Any goodform of metallic packings will serve. The contact of the pieces E withthe interior of the cylinder forces inward each wing during half of arevolution and controls its movement outward during the remaining half.The pressure of the fluid received through the pipe A and obtainingpractically constant within the bore b acts against the inner ends ofthe pistons G and presses them and the connected wings outward. Theresult is to keep the outer faces of all three of the rocking pieces Galways in steam-tight contact with the interior of the cylinder A whenthe machine is conditioned for working.

I have devised a form of the parts which gives great stifiness. Theapertures or ports a a through the fixed end, one of which ports,according as the reversing-valve M is set, admits the steam to theinterior of the machine to compel the rotatory motion and the other ofwhich allows the exhaust-steam to escape after it has done its work, arenecessarily narrow to agree with the narrowspaces between the outersurface of the drum B and the inner surface of the cylinder A. I makeeach of these ports by a row of small apertures. In other words, Isimply drill a series of holes at the localities a ct, graduated indiameter to correspond with the wedgeshaped form of the space. The metalleft between each hole and the next gives stifiness and strength to theend. This end is further stiffened as follows: The portions A of thecasting, which, with the main body A of the end, forms the passages,being made thick and cast integral with the cylinder end, contributegreatly to its stiffness. They each perform two functions--thestrengthening of the end and the conducting of the steam to or from oneof the ports a or a. The opposite end H of the cylinder is yielding. Itsedge is beveled, as shown, and fits tightly by the aid of packing O ofcorresponding triangular cross-section. The end is thick and stout andis made more rigid by radial ribs.

Properly out of the center is a provision for an efficient stuffing-boxand gland, as will be understood. The packing-space is bridged over by aplate P, of steel or other elastic material which can yield outward andinward to a sufficient extent to allow the small amount of adjustability required in the end. I provide for exerting an adjustablepressure on this plate, and consequently on both the cylinder end andthe packing which tightens the edge thereof, by the following means.

A A are two stationary knuckles carrying a stout axial pin A on whichlatter is pivoted a triangular lever J, the position of which iscontrolled by a nut K and bolt A engaged strongly with the upper edge ofthe cylinder. The nut can be shifted rapidly and easily in position, asvariations in the external force on the head are required. There arerounded notches j near the mid-length of this lever. These notchesreceive correspondingly-rounded bearings R on a ring R, which surroundsthe stuffing-box of the cylinder end H. This ring may be larger thanshown and concentric to the cylinder A; but I have shown it asconcentric to the shaft and having the bearings a little below itsmid-height. With either arrangement there are divergent arms R makingthe device technically a spider, bearing on a ring R which latterpresses on the plate P. When the engine is for any reason required to berevolved with only a slight pressure in its interior, the attendantslackens the single conveniently-accessible nut K and the cylinder endis allowed to move outward the small amount required, which with soundmetal and sufficiently massive proportions will usually be only a fewthousandths of an inch. Under ordinary conditions when the engine isworking with a strong pressure in its interior the nut K, beingcorrespondingly screwed inward upon its bolt A exerts a strong pressurethrough the lever and spider on the elastic plate P, and thus bothpresses the packing O and urges the entire cylinder end inward. It willbe seen that this provides an efficient adjustment by which any amountof pressure in the fluid operating the machine can be compensated for byurging the cylinder end more strongly inward. The adjustment should besuch as to balance the pressure and keep the IIO ends of the cylinderalways in contact, but without pressing so strongly against the ends ofthe drum I3, wings D, and rocking pieces E as to involve seriousfriction.

lVhen for any reason I stop the engine for a brief period, I do thiswithout turning off the steam at the throttle, (not shown,) but simplyby setting the reversing-valve M in the central position, that shown inFig. 4. This has the effect to shut off the steam from the ports, butleaves it full on in the pipe A, which communicates directly with thesteamchest above the reversing-valve. It follows that during the wholeperiod while the engine remains stationary under those conditions thefull pressure of the steam is kept in the hollow interior 1) of theshaft B,and consequently pressing with full force outward on thepistons, holding the wings and their connections properly out in contactwith the interior of the cylinder. By thus insuring the correct positionof the wings the engine is ready to start the moment the reversing-valveis shifted either way, either to the full extent to give full pressureor partly to give reduced pressure in the working.

I claim as my invention 1. In a rotary engine or pump a cylinder A withan eccentrically-inclosed drum B and radially-moving wings I) and hollowshaft B with connections for receiving fluid at a high pressure, incombination with pistons G car ried in the drum so that the steam urgesout the wings with yielding force, and with packing 0 around suchpistons compressed by glands B and operating means 13 accessible bydrawing out the wings, all substantially as herein specified. I

In a rotary engine or pump having a cylinder A with aneccentrically-inclosed drum B and radially-moving wings D carried in thelatter the pins D stiffly fixed thereon working in corresponding holesin the drum, and the loosely-connected pistons G playing also incorresponding holes in the drum and pressed outward by the steam againstsuch wings, with liberty for the wings and these loose pistons to shiftlaterally relatively to each other, all substantially as hereinspecified.

3. In a rotary engine or pump having a cylinder A with aneccentrically-inclosed drum B and radially-moving wings D carried in thelatter, the pins D stiffly fixed thereon working in correspondingholesin the drum, and the loosely-connected pistons G playing also incorresponding holes in the drum and pressed outward by the steam againstsuch wings with liberty for the wings and these loose pistons to shiftlaterally relatively to each other, and with a passage A connecting thesteam-chest with the hollow shaft to force out such pistons and allowtheir return and also with passages A formed integrally with thecylinder end A and with a reversing-valve M in the steam-chestcontrolling such passages for supplying and exhausting steam to actcircumferentially on the wings, all combined and arranged for jointoperation substantially as herein specified.

at. In a rotary engine or pump having a cylinder A with aneccentrically-inclosed drum l3 and radially-moving wings, a movable endH, in combination with the lever J turning on suitable knuckles A androcking bearingsj and with adjusting means K adapted to allov such endto be forced inward or release to compensate for the elastic springingof the end, substantially as herein specified.

5. In a rotary engine or pump having a cylinder A with aneccentrically-inclosed drum B and radially-moving wings, a movable endII fitting easily in the cylinder, in combination with the lever Jturning on suitable knuckles A and rocking bearingsj and with adjustingmeans K and with a spider R R serving as a medium between the lever Jand the end H and with packing Oan elastic annular plate P receivingforce from such spider, arranged to serve both for adjustably holdingthe end and closing the joint around it, all substantially as hereinspecified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

CYRUS H. HAWKINS.

\Vitnesses:

J. P. OLAUTion, M. F. BOYLE.

